Need Air Compressor Advice

[dspur]

My needs: for my shop but primarily to run the blast cabinet, and occasional use at that. A 20 gallon Kobalt (Lowes) is super loud and woefully inadequate. I’m tired of blasting for 15 seconds and then stopping to let it catch up.
I’d like something that is dependable and will do the job, but at a price point that is commensurate with the occasional use.
TIA

 

[Al Alguire]

A blast cabinet will require a large amount of air. The larger the cabinet the higher the demand. IMO you are going to want as large a tank as you can afford or have space for, or a screw compressor that can keep up and not make you go deaf while doing so

 

[LowBikeMike]

The CFM you needs depends somewhat upon the tip size of your blasting nozzle. I run a TP Tools blast cabinet with a 21CFM compressor and it keeps up without issue. I have to stop more often because I'm using older media and the vacuum cannot suck the dust out fast enough. If you are doing large pieces having to stop repeatedly is a hassle, if you are working on smalls and bolts, nuts, etc. you'll be stopping more often anyway. Most upright compressors take up about the same amount of room, i'd get the highest CFM you can afford.

 

[493 Mike]

I second the recommendation of more storage. Look for dead compressors with good tanks and several can be plumbed together for extra volume. I fell into a nice little 500 gallon tank for my shop!
Mike

 

[Demonic]

If you're doing a lot of blasting, painting and other high volume stuff, you'll need a good one. I'm happy with my Champion.

VR10-12 Reciprocating Air Compressor - Champion Compressors

As low as $128/month The VR10-12 is perfect for small shops with a couple painters or up to 5 mechanics. This is a typical model of air compressor you will find in your neighborhood facilities across the country, from car washes to smaller industrial shops. The VR10-12 Series is reliable...

championcompressor.net

 

[Mopar Miki]

Most noise from the compressor is from the intake. Plumbing the intake to a fresh air supply outside the room significantly reduces the noise and keeps the tank air from being contaminated by what's in the shop air. If the air is to be used for painting this is critical.

 

[65CopCar]

For sure you want a 2 stage. My 30 year old Quincy QT-5 is 175 psi at 17.5 cfm. No problems with keeping up with blast cabinet.

 

[YY1]

A blast cabinet can exhaust an 80 gallon tank immediately!
Therefore, gallon capacity is somewhat meaningless.
CFM@90 psi is KING for a compressor used for blasting.

I use a true 5HP motor, two stage pump rated between 18 and 32 CFM@90 (Bel-Aire model 338 converted to single phase 240V).
Depending on what I'm blasting, it can run continuously until I release the trigger.

For a while I had a backup DeWalt 9.8 CFM unit that was barely adequate to blast small parts like brackets.

Buy the most CFM@90 you can afford.

I personally would not even attempt operating a blast cabinet on a regular basis with under 12 CFM@90 psi.